Practical advice on surviving the dangers of the modern urban environment

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Protesting in the Time of Police State: How to stay safe when exercising your rights

If you’re planning on participating in a peaceful
demonstration or protest keep one thing in mind, at any time it could turn into
a bloody riot.

In the past it has been a common practice for governments to
send agent provocateurs to mingle among the demonstrators until a given time or
signal, and then to begin instigating violence as both a way to demonize the
peaceful protesters in the media, and as an excuse to send in the riot troops
to bust heads. As demonstrations around the world can attest to, this tactic
has not gone out of fashion.

So what should you do if suddenly rubber bullets, tear gas
canisters, and flash bang grenades are whizzing past you and a hundred Mad Max
extras waiving clubs start goose-stepping in your direction?

The following will provide you some tips and advice to keep
you as safe as possible should you suddenly find yourself in a war-zone.

Clothing

When the storm troopers make their appearance at your
protest march, you’ll notice they came dressed to kill. They typically wear
helmets, face shields, gas masks, chest protectors, elbow pads, knee and shin pads,
and combat boots. In addition, they will carry shields, batons, Tasers, radios,
medical kits, shotguns and pistols. Meanwhile, you are standing there in a
t-shirt and flip flops. The first tip is to come dressed for the occasion.

What to Wear

Long pants and long sleeves to reduce the exposure of skin
to RCAs. (Riot Control Agents)

Wear only cotton or wool. Natural fibers are fire resistant
whereas most of the synthetic materials are highly flammable and can quickly
ignite from a spark from a flash bang or Molotov cocktail. When these materials
burn they will melt right into your skin and cannot be removed without taking
the skin with it.

A bicycle helmet, this can be a life saver in case agitators
begin throwing rocks and you happen to be in the line of fire. Also useful as
protection against police nightstick attacks.

A backpack, fill the book pocket, the pocket that is closest
to the back straps, with a large hardcover book. This can act like body armor
protecting your back from rubber bullets. In addition, it can be used as a
shield by placing your forearm through the shoulder straps and holding the pack
as a shield if front of you if you have to escape volleys of projectiles and
rubber bullets.

A bandanna: can be used as an emergency bandage, sweat band,
improvised dust mask, and washcloth.

Bring work gloves to protect your hands if you have to
escape through broken windows, or other sharp wreckage caused by rioting. Wearing
gloves will also help prevent burns if you have to remove smoking teargas
canisters.

Wear work boots or hiking boots, or at least good high top
leather runners. This is to help protect your feet from broken glass and sharp
debris on the ground, and will help support your ankles when running, or
climbing over barriers.

Wear protective eye-wear. The sports style sunglasses with
padding on the inside such as used in racket ball and other sports works best.
This is to protect against RCAs, rubber bullets and fragments from teargas
canisters and Flash Bangs.

Right click and save to print out 8.5x11 poster

What to Carry

The riot police typically carry a lot of gear and it is a
good idea for you to carry some items on your person as well.

Water: you can quickly become dehydrated standing outdoors
and access to water may be restricted. Local stores may be closed for fear of
rioting and looting and police may block off access to public fountains and
washrooms. Bring 2 litres minimum and double if the temperatures are high.

Snacks: the excitement and physical exertion can quickly
use up your glucose stores and leave you feeling weak and nauseous. Bring some
snacks to nibble on through the day to maintain your blood sugar levels.

Cell Phone: to call for help, an attorney, or a cab to
help you get out if you become trapped or arrested. A cell phone is also useful
for filming the violation of human rights.

Pocket First Aid Kit: to treat minor injuries like cuts
and blisters. Add one or two a chemical cold packs to help treat welts raised
by rubber bullets and baton strikes.

Small Flashlight: in case you’re out after dark and the
power goes out.

Cash: to pay for parking, or public transportation, or to
hire a taxi.

Dust Mask: to help filter out riot control agents.

Identification: in case you are detained or arrested
providing I.D. can get you released sooner.

Attorneys’ Business Card: If you participate regularly in
an activist community you will eventually have an encounter with law
enforcement. It is best to be prepared ahead of any such encounter by finding a
reputable lawyer that specializes in civil rights cases and get several of his
or her business cards to keep in your wallet and another in your protest
emergency kit. Don’t rely solely on your cell phone for contact information
since cell phones and other electronic devices will be seized when you are
arrested.

How to Deal With Riot
Control Agents

The term “riot control agents” (RCAs) refers to several
gases commonly known as ‘Tear Gas’ or ‘Pepper Spray’. Exposure to these
chemicals can cause skin, nose, and eye irritation, nausea, and respiratory
difficulties within minutes. In rare cases, RCAs can cause long-term health
complications, blindness, and even death. The effects generally last less than
half an hour but can be extremely uncomfortable.

The first defense is to try to stay out of the line of fire
and away from the front lines of the police. If the chemicals are released in
front of you, you should run straight behind you to get out of range. Try to
get upwind of the point of release where there is fresh air.

If RCAs are deployed inside a building, get out as quickly
as possible. The chemicals do not dissipate as they would outdoors, and the
high concentrations can be extremely dangerous with prolonged exposure.

Get to high ground. RCAs are heavier than air, and the
highest concentrations thus tend to be near the ground. Try to get to the highest
point possible. This could be up a hill, atop a wall, etc.

If you are caught in a smoke cloud, soak a bandanna or other
cloth in apple-cider vinegar or lemon juice and tightly cover your mouth and
nose with it. (Bring these items in your kit.)

Finally, avoid wearing oil-based creams or sunscreens, as
these aid absorption of the RCAs. If you are exposed to these agents follow
decontamination procedures.

In emergencies, dry powder such as flour, baking soda,
detergents, or even soil can be used to reduce the quantity of chemical agent
available for uptake through the skin. Pouring flour onto the chemical followed
by wiping with wet tissue paper is reported to be effective against the nerve
agents soman, VX, and mustard gas.

How to Escape a Riot

Try to look as inconspicuous as possible, and slowly and
carefully move to the outside of the mob. Stay close to walls or other
protective barriers if possible.

Get inside and stay inside if you can. Find a retail store,
office building, or coffee shop to go into and off the streets. Look for a rear
exit to these buildings that will lead out to a back street where there are no
rioters or police and carefully make you way home.

It can be dangerous to move against a crowd, so go with the
flow until you are able to escape into a doorway or up a side street or alley.
It may also be advantageous to stay with the crowd until you are certain you
can safely escape because it will help you remain inconspicuous and improve
your odds of survival if shots are fired. In addition, police may barricade
side routes and ambush anyone seeking to escape the main mob. You do not want
to be the only person trying to get past a police barricade.

Avoid public transportation. Buses, subways, and trains will
likely be out of service, and stations and depots will probably be packed with
people. Even if you succeed in getting on a train or bus, rioters may stop it.
Subway stations are particularly bad places to be, both because they are
difficult to escape and because riot control agents are heavier than air and
may drift down into subway stations and accumulate there.

Protesting in a police state can be a dangerous, if vital
exercise of your basic human rights. You cannot trust that unstable elements
within the ranks of law enforcement would not instigate violence that would
trigger the police into attack mode. You could be entering a war zone, and so to
protect yourself and fellow activists make sure you follow the advice given and
come prepared.

Pemmican is a portable, long-lasting, high-energy food that was invented by Native Americans. It's made of lean, dried meat that's crushed into powder and mixed with hot, rendered fat. You can even add dried fruit for taste, and the best part is just a handful will sustain a full-grown man all day long - even while working. This makes it a great food to have in an emergency.

In the US in 2016 anyway, don't cover your face until/unless RCAs are employed-agents provacateurs love masks. Related and a proactive action re: not winding up in a violent situation-call out any violent actions among your fellow protesters immediately. Such actions may well be provocations.

About Me

Stefan H. Verstappen is a Canadian writer, adventurer, and martial artist. He has worked as a wilderness survival instructor for Outward Bound programs, a street youth councilor, a First Aid and CPR instructor for St John Ambulance, and a martial arts instructor. Since first backpacking through Europe alone at age sixteen he has also traveled extensively and spent four years living in the Orient.